Keeping baby busy - and teaching them too!

StimuBox is an online store that produces and sells personalised sensory boxes. All the items fit into a reasonably sized box making it easy to use, store and mobile for travelling. The main focus of the box is to ensure that each child reaches their appropriate milestones during the early childhood development (ECD) period.

The company is headed by Nhadia Gustavo, a qualified early childhood motor development specialist (kinderkineticist), who has a passion for working with children and seeing them develop holistically.

“I made my first StimuBox for a very good friend of mine,” Gustavo says. “I just wanted to make her something different for her baby shower.”

Thanks to her background, she knew what a baby would need to develop and to reach all their milestones.

“So, I did some research and just put a cute box together for her and her husband. They really loved the gift, and so did others that were there. They urged me on to make a company out of it.”

With lots of motivation from her family, she got things going and she hasn’t looked back since.

“Because it started off as a passion project, I can keep going. I think if it was just something that I thumbsucked, it probably wouldn’t have been worth the stress to continue. But I love what I do! I’d love to see other parents empowered through this tool.”

So, what activities can be found in the StimuBox?

“One of the most exciting for me, is the motor development exercise programme. Babies have different developmental stages. First, they learn how to control their neck, and thereafter they go into a sitting position. From here they start crawling, and then move on to standing, and finally walking. So everything happens progressively. But for them to become strong enough to do this, they need exercise.

“Tummy time really is the best - even if you’re struggling to do it with your child - just do it! I call it burpees for babies because it literally works on every single muscle you can think of,” she says.

She has also included a couple of fun things you can do while busy with tummy time. “You can be very creative, and it really helps them so much.”

There are also a couple of feathers for tactile stimulation; you just rub it over baby’s body. “Especially over their fact - they just love it!”

She says the box also includes a few sensory sticks; each has a different texture. “Bubbles are also great, and I also have a ball; there are so many things you can do with a ball. The options are endless. I’ve included a couple of ideas that are aimed at motor development.”

Nhadia says that boxes can be customised according to a theme, like an aeroplane theme for a boy, with loads of blue, but there are also jungle and farm themes - which she really enjoys making. “If you want to be super girly, there’s also a princess theme!”

The boxes are small enough to take along with you when you travel, although every different “tool” also has its own pouch.

For older children too

The boxes aren’t just for babies though - there are versions for older kids too.

“We are currently finalising our activity box for older children. We’re focusing on three age groups, namely two to four, five to seven, and then eight to ten. It’s a bit of a tester at the moment, to see what the children are interested in and what engages them. We’ve been to a number of markets in the past year where we had some testers to see what the kids like most, and we’ve tried to include that in the box.”

She says there are also different themes, like a garden theme that features a lot of insects. “A nice element is also that we want to include a book. So for the little ones, it will be about engaging with the parent, pre-reading skills, and learning different colours. Then, as the kids get older, they can read for themselves.

“I really just wanted to create a product that is all-inclusive. So, each box includes exercises, something for cognitive skills, fine motor skills. It’s very holistic. That is basically at the heart of StimuBox and in my profession.” For more information, visit the StimuBox website at https://stimuboxnam.com/, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stimuboxnam or follow the Instagram page. A sample box can also be viewed at Baby and Kids Emporium.